Monday, September 21, 2009

Last Night in Perú

Tomorrow I fly home. I have asked myself whether I am ´ready´ to come home. As well, this is a question you may have for me. Of course, I want to return to my amazing husband, friends, family, and home. And, at the same time, part of the reason I went on this journey was to explore another part of the world and the way other people live in order to evaluate my own life. This time in Perú has given me the opportunity to reflect on Western culture.

While we are very privileged to be citizens of the United States, we often miss some of the simplest most beautiful things in life. We have become so accustomed to having everything that the meaning and value of many things have been diluted. And, we have lost some basic skills, like making do with what we have or being satisfied with less than what we are used to having.

The realization that I can live with much less is one of the most powerful insights for me on this trip. My fear of coming home is that I will get caught up in wanting things, the best of things, again. Being harsh and judgemental about my own life and culture is not a place I want to be either. A very wise man, who I admire, has provided me with some guidance for my entry back into my life at home. One of the keys to a successful homecoming will be to hold sacred the insights I have had while not letting myself get too bombarded with the meaningless chatter in our ´developed´ world.

I do look forward to coming home with a different perspective on life and seeing how I can integrate these lessons into life at home in the states. Thank you to all the beautiful people in Perú who have unknowingly touched my life and provided me with such a wonderful and unforgettable experience.